-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A total solar eclipse occurred over the northeastern Australian coast early in the morning of November 14 local time .

Clueless about this spectacular astronomical event ? No worries , we 've got you covered . We 're here to explain what causes this remarkable act of nature , what skygazers see and how those outside of Australia can join in the experience .

What exactly is a total solar eclipse ?

A solar eclipse happens when the moon , as it orbits Earth , passes directly in front of the sun , obscuring its rays and casting a shadow on Earth 's surface . Sometimes referred to as a `` happy accident of nature , '' a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon is perfectly aligned with both the sun and Earth , so it appears from our perspective that the sun is completely blocked .

When is this happening and who can see it ?

The total solar eclipse became visible in the far north of Australia about an hour after sunrise local time on November 14 -LRB- afternoon of November 13 in the United States and evening of November 13 in Europe -RRB- .

A total eclipse of the sun can only be seen from within what 's known as the path of totality , a narrow path the moon 's inner shadow travels as it glides across the Earth . The most populated areas within that path are in the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region .

It estimated to take about three hours for the moon 's shadow to travel the entire path of totality . What time total darkness occurred , and how long it lasted , depended on location . Totality was expected to begin in Cairns at 0638 local time and was to last nearly two minutes . By contrast , totality was estimated to only last just about 20 seconds in the small town of Innisfail .

What 's all the fuss about ? Do n't these happen frequently ?

According to NASA , a full solar eclipse happens , on average , every 18 months . The last one happened in July 2010 , crossing Chile 's Easter Island , and one will occur over equatorial Africa in November 2014 . But for any given region , a total solar eclipse only happens , on average , once every 375 years .

Solar eclipses were shrouded in superstition in ancient times -- in China , for example , viewing total solar eclipses was important for divining the future success of an emperor . However , as scientific knowledge deepened , these events became opportunities for conducting important experiments . It was during a total solar eclipse in 1919 that Einstein 's theory of general relativity was tested and confirmed for the first time .

Quiz : Can you see the light ?

What 's it like to experience a solar eclipse and what do you see ?

A solar eclipse is often described as one of nature 's most awe-inspiring events . Some people are so moved by the experience of watching an eclipse that they travel around the world chasing them .

About an hour leading up to totality , all sorts of things begin to happen . There are changes in the color of the sky , the temperature drops , birds and animals behave in a peculiar manner and shadows sharpen , according to Rick Brown , an eclipse chaser from New York who is viewing his 14th total solar eclipse . `` I never really expected to be moved the way I was . It 's a phenomenal thing to see , '' he said , recalling his first experience .

As the moon 's shadow sweeps across the Earth , the sun turns into a crescent in the sky . Just before totality , so-called Baily 's beads â $ '' bright spots of sunlight shining through the moon 's craggy surface â $ '' can appear around the moon . Then the moon completely blots out the sun , leaving only a halo of light visible . After the brief period of darkness , Baily 's beads might appear again as the sun comes back into view .

I missed it . Where can I see this eclipse ?

You can watch the video here on CNN .

On Twitter , there was a tweet-up devoted to the event and you can always get first-hand accounts of the event on iReport , where we asked people to share their solar eclipse photos and experiences .

Do I need special glasses to watch a solar eclipse ?

Yes ! Permanent eye damage can occur if you look directly at the sun . That means when viewing any partial phase of a total eclipse , you need to wear proper solar eclipse glasses . Regular sunglasses wo n't offer enough protection , and forget about using telescopes or binoculars unless you 've attached special filters to them . Only during totality can you remove filters and glasses . If you 're feeling crafty , you can create your own pinhole projector .

Any tips for first-time viewers ?

If you 're keen to capture some good photos , you need to be prepared . Eclipse Chasers , a website devoted to solar eclipses , has several pointers for photographers . Among them :

-- Leave your flash attachment at home
-- Do n't forget to remove your filter during totality
-- Use a telescope or telephoto lens with a focal length of 400 millimetres or more
-- Opt for manually focusing over auto focus
-- Keep your setup as portable , light and easy to assemble as possible in case you need to relocate in a hurry to escape clouds .

Veteran eclipse watchers all had the same advice for first-timers : do n't waste time fiddling with cameras and telescopes that you miss soaking up that fleeting moment of complete darkness .

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A total solar eclipse was visible over Australia 's Northern Territories on November 14

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The most populated areas within the path of the eclipse are in the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region

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Special eye gear essential and preparation key to taking good pictures